How to bid on Aircraft Skin for B-52 Stratofortress from the DEPT of Defense

What the agency is buying

The Department of Defense is seeking aircraft skins, specifically NSN 1560-010705138, for B-52 Stratofortress aircraft. This will be an Indefinite Quantity Contract (IQC) for a base period of five years, with no option years. The estimated annual quantity is 40 units.

This is a 100% small business set-aside opportunity. Vendors should note that inspection and acceptance will occur at the supplier's location, with delivery to the government.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

This is a Request for Information (RFI) published on August 05, 2026. The deadline for responses to this RFI is August 20, 2026, at 8:00 AM ET. This RFI is for information gathering only; it is not a request for proposals.

The actual solicitation for this procurement is expected to be issued on or about September 20, 2026. Once issued, the solicitation will be available through the DLA Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS).

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for small businesses that can manufacture or supply aircraft skins. Specifically, the part number is 5-46868-1009. Current manufacturers include AERO COMPONENTS, LLC, THE BOEING COMPANY, HONEYCOMB COMPANY OF AMERICA, INC., D-J ENGINEERING INC, MALONES CNC MACHINING INC, and TOP FLIGHT AEROSTRUCTURES, INC.

Firms interested in this bid must be certified by the Department of Defense to access unclassified technical data, as this item requires restricted data. Certification is obtained by submitting DD Form 2345, Military Critical Technical Data Agreement, to the Defense Logistics Information Services.

How to respond

To view the original RFI, click the 'View original source' link. If you land on a homepage, click the link again to go directly to the bid. You may need a free account to view documents, though this is not always required.

The full solicitation, when issued around September 20, 2026, will be available on the DLA Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS). From the DIBBS homepage, select 'Requests for Proposal (RFP) / Invitation for Bid (IFB)' under the 'Solicitations' tab, then search for and download the RFP. A paper copy of the solicitation will not be available.

Practical tips for preparing a competitive response

Given this is an Indefinite Quantity Contract (IQC), be prepared to commit to a five-year base period. Your pricing strategy should reflect this long-term commitment and the estimated annual quantity of 40 units. Delivery is required 280 days after each order, so ensure your production and supply chain can meet this timeframe.

Since a reverse auction may be conducted, it is highly recommended to access the Procurex system to self-register and review their training tools. Understanding how to participate in a reverse auction can be crucial for competitive pricing. If you do not self-register, DLA will load you at the time of the auction. All questions about the reverse auction can be directed to [email protected].

For any technical data access, ensure your firm has a current DD Form 2345 certification. This is a mandatory requirement for accessing the necessary unclassified data for this item. Without this certification, you will not be able to obtain the required technical information to prepare a compliant bid.